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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: A sort of mannered, British version of The Odd Couple (1970), this drama won four of the seven major BAFTA Awards for which it was nominated. Albert Finney stars as Reggie Cunningham-Jarvis, a former Royal Air Force squadron leader who is utterly debilitated by the death of his wife, allowing his estate to decay. At the suggestion of a social worker, Reggie is paired with Roy Southgate (Tom Courtenay), a retired milkman, orderly homebody, and fellow recent widower. Roy moves in and begins caring for Reggie's manor, and an unlikely friendship between the two men develops, although Reggie treats Roy more as a servant than a roommate. Their relationship becomes tested, however, with the arrival of Lizzie Franks (Joanna Lumley), a shop owner hoping to seduce Reggie for his riches. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...A Rather English Marriage
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
103 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When ex-RAF fighter pilot Reginald Conyngham-Jarvis (Albert Finney) and former milkman Roy Southgate (Tom Courtenay) both become widowers within minutes of each other, an unlikely bond between them begins to form. Both men are from the opposite side of the social spectrum, Reginald, verbose, and self confessed womaniser, nevertheless less fond of his late wife, no idea of domesticity,and Roy the dedicated husband, never looked at another woman, more outwardly gentle and caring, both begin to share the same house, the formation of an "odd couple" type of scenario.
The theme behind the relationships of this touching, superbly acted drama, based on Angela Lambert's novel, is both characters providing to the other what each person badly needs. As the story unfolds, both men have more in common than either thought, as they both harbour dark secrets of guilt over a lost child. Joanna Lumley is convincing as a local botique owner who sees Reginald, and the money she thinks he has, as a way of escaping from her own debt pressures.
At times humourous, other times sensitive and thought provoking, this wonderful drama is a tribute to the fine acting skills of the main performers, with excellent use of the haunting background music. A modern classic.
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
On sitting down to this film, I was rather tired but that soon changed. Within Minutes i was glued to the screen. Why? Well the acting is superb, especially from Tom Courtenay. He rightly won the Bafta for best actor. The script also was both very funny and poignant. In fact I found the film version far better than the novel, which seemed to plod along at times. Overall the best film I have seen in a long time.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I have seen this TV movie a number of times and always find it fresh and totally entertaining. This is script writing at its very best and the three main actors, Finney, Courtenay and Lumley give outstanding performances. Finney and Courtenay are wonderful as an 'odd' couple who choose to give living together 'a go'. Finney is remarkable as a retired Squadron Leader who finds himself having to fend for himself, following the death of his wife. His playing skilfully avoids caricature and displays great humour and poignancy. Courtenay, also on his own (and having a son in prison) and hiding a skeleton in the cupboard, agrees to get together with Finney to share house. To his dismay, Courtenay soon finds that Finney has no intention of sharing the chores and when Ms Lumley appears on the scene thinking she has landed a wealthy catch in the ex-RAF wartime pilot, things take a turn for the worse when Finney has a heart attack. Courtenay and Lumley are fine players and treat the, at times, delicate dialogue with great sensitivity. The ending could so easily have fallen flat, but as it is one is left hoping for a sequel, to follow up the lives of this unlikely couple.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant Finney, engaging script
There are no car chases, no violence. A witty, engaging script.
Albert Finney is spectacular. He alone was worth the price of admission. Read more
Albert Finney is spectacular. He alone was worth the price of admission. Read more
Published 4 months ago by em
A Rather English Marriage
A very classic film that will definitely be played more than once..
Brilliantly directed and captivating, making you feel emotionally drawn to the storyline and the outcome... Read more
Brilliantly directed and captivating, making you feel emotionally drawn to the storyline and the outcome... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Antique Rose
It could have contined long after it had ended..................
I had not heard of this film until I was browsing your recommended
list you had sent to me. I was totally engrossed with every minute of this little movie which was so... Read more
list you had sent to me. I was totally engrossed with every minute of this little movie which was so... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Derrick Leslie Davidoff
Interesting character study
Two elderly men are widowed on the same night in the same hospital. Pompous lecher Reggie (Albert Finney) and meek milkman Southgate (Tom Courtenay) would seem to have little in... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by Kona
Review
Only place I could track this one down. It was a present and was well received.
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by Curlywurly
A Rather Good Film..
A lovely, moving and amusing film. The two leads Albert Finney and Tom Courteney provide performances with much emotion and as ever, the beautuful and versatile Joanna Lumley is... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by Ms. L. R. Nicholls
Rather Slow and No Real Story
Disappointed with this movie. I always enjoy Albert Finney's movies, but not this one! The movie did not build on the theme of 2 widowers becoming unlikely paired friends. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by Rocky Road Reviewer
Brilliant
Brilliant, two of Britains best actors paired together in roles that were made for them. A touching story with great humourous moments.
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by G. Ephgrave
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